“The key to healthy, glowing skin is a strong skin barrier. Once it’s damaged, it will appear dull, dry, and rough and lead to inflammation, like redness, itching, acne breakouts, and discoloration,” Dr. Azadeh Shirazi, a California-based, board-certified dermatologist and founder of brand AziMd Skincare, tells ELLE.com. Without proper skin protection, you will continue to encounter more skin care issues and may even further damage your barrier.
If you buy another new skin care product this week, let it be a barrier cream. To lighten your research, we polled Dr. Shirazi, sifted through my own stash, and read countless customer reviews to land on the following 11 barrier cream formulas.
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Every item on this page was chosen by an ELLE editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.
Pros
- Fast-absorbing
Cons
- Can feel a little thick
As its name suggests, the Atobarrier line from Aestura focuses on repairing and strengthening the skin’s barrier and maintaining moisture throughout the day. The star of the show is ceramide, but it’s supported by other conditioning agents, such as squalane and vitamin E, for added cushion.
Key ingredients: Ceramides
Size: 2.7 fl oz
Amazon rating: 4.6/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “K-beauty has been a dependable ally in my fight against acne, and I have this barrier cream to thank. Most nights, my skin is slathered in retinol to keep those breakouts and scarring at bay. On other days, it’s this formula that soothes the skin and protects it from damage, thanks to ceramides and fatty acids coating the skin in nourishment.”—Nerisha Penrose, beauty commerce editor
Best For Dry Skin
La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5 Soothing Therapeutic Multi Purpose Cream
Pros
- Soothing
Cons
- May not be best for acne-prone skin
If you’ve scrolled long enough on #SkinTok, you’ve likely come across videos singing the praises of this cream. The moment you notice dry patches appearing on your face, reach for this product, which contains glycerin, shea butter, vitamin B5, and more to soothe dryness throughout your body.
Key ingredients: Shea butter, vitamin B5, glycerin
Size: 3 fl oz
Ulta rating: 4.6/5 stars
Our expert says: “This is a great product for dry, irritated skin and not great for acne-prone skin. It’s formulated with vitamin B5, canella extract, and shea butter to help heal the skin.”—Dr. Azadeh Shirazi
Best For Beginners
Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Whipped Cream
Pros
- Super moisturizing
Cons
- May not be not be best for oily skin
The pretty purple packaging is enough to encourage a purchase, but deep in the tub lies a nourishing mix of six African oils, ceramides, and lipids to strengthen and restore balance to the skin.
Key ingredients: Ceramides, lipids
Size: 1.69 fl oz
Ulta rating: 4.4/5 stars
Our expert says: “Drunk Elephant’s Lala Retro is a heavier ceramide-based cream for dry skin types. Hyaluronic acid, antioxidants, and omega acids help restore the skin barrier and lock in moisture.”—Dr. Azadeh Shirazi
Best For Redness
AziMD Skincare Intense Recovery Complex
Pros
- Light, fast-absorbing texture
Cons
- Drier skin types may need something thicker
For those using heavy acids or retinol, this feather-light cream from AziMD Skincare helps calm irritated skin and reduce redness with the aid of ceramides, vitamin E, and cactus and yeast extracts.
Key ingredients: Ceramides, vitamin E
Size: 1.8 fl oz
AziMD Skincare rating: 4.9/5 stars
Our expert says: “This is specifically formulated to support and repair the skin barrier. Four essential ceramides and phytosphingosine (natural lipids) restore the skin barrier; cactus and yeast extracts reduce irritation by down-regulating inflammatory markers and soothing the skin. Allantoin aids in healing the skin. It’s a lightweight but hydrating product.”—Dr. Azadeh Shirazi
Best Affordable Option
3M Cavilon Durable Barrier Cream
Pros
- Long-lasting
Cons
- Not great for acne-prone skin
Cracked, flaky skin is no match for this derm favorite. As the name suggests, this cream works to protect and strengthen the skin to ward off dryness and rashes. A little goes a long way, so you’ll have this around for a long time.
Key ingredient: 3M polymer technology
Size: 3.25 fl oz
Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars
Our expert says: “This is a barrier cream that acts as a shield against irritants and stays on the skin, making it long-lasting. It helps the skin self-repair over time. It’s also fragrance-free.”—Dr. Azadeh Shirazi
Best For All Skin Types
Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Skin Barrier Moisturizing Cream
Pros
- Moisturizing
Cons
- Some users note it can pill under other products
Dr. Jart’s barrier cream is as much of a protector as it is a moisturizer. A combination of five ceramides, glycerin, and panthenol adds a surge of moisture to parched skin and leaves you looking plumped and refreshed.
Key ingredients: Ceramides, glycerin
Size: 2.53 fl oz
Sephora rating: 4.2/5 stars
A Sephora reviewer says: “Love this. Left my face feeling soft and properly moisturized. Wasn’t too thick and not too watery either.”
Best For Extremely Dry Skin
Skinfix Barrier+ Triple Lipid-Peptide Face Cream
Pros
- Moisturizing
Cons
- Can be too thick for some
One pump of this cream deposits a super moisturizing medley of peptides, lipids, hyaluronic acid, and shea butter that melts into the skin to restore balance and improve elasticity and plumpness.
Key ingredients: Peptides, lipids, hyaluronic acid
Size: 1.7 fl oz
Amazon rating: 4.3/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “If my skin could scream what its favorite product is, I’m pretty sure it would be this Skinfix barrier cream. As someone who relies heavily on retinol to ward off hyperpigmentation, this cream ensures my skin is receiving an adequate amount of moisture and hydration.”—NP
Best Retinol Moisturizer
Paula’s Choice RESIST Barrier Repair Moisturizer
Pros
- Non-irritating formula
Cons
- Pump can be faulty
If you’re hesitant about introducing retinol into your routine, this moisturizer from Paula’s Choice makes it easy for you. The lightweight formula helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles while gently exfoliating the skin. Also included in the mix are green tea, licorice root, and shea butter, which soothe any irritation and impart a healthy glow.
Key ingredients: Ceramides, watermelon seed oil
Size: 1.7 fl oz
Paula’s Choice rating: 4.2/5 stars
A Paula’s Choice reviewer says: “I have very dry skin and struggle to find a moisturizer that is hydrating enough. Usually I have to add the hyaluronic acid booster to my moisturizer but this one is enough on its own. It goes on clean, it’s not greasy, it is perfect for me.”
Best For Intense Repair
Soon Jung 2x Barrier Intensive Cream
Pros
- Great for drier skin types
Cons
- Can be too thick for some
One of the golden rules of K-beauty is to always prioritize your skin’s health. This cream from Soon Jung contains panthenol and shea butter to protect the barrier and calm the skin. Additionally, it has a pH level that mimics the skin’s natural pH, ensuring your skin receives the TLC it deserves.
Key ingredient: Pantheol
Size: 2.03 fl oz
Amazon star rating: 4.7/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer said: “Wow!! I ran to put on this moisturizer as soon as I got it and I’m in love! It feels so good! I have incredibly dry skin and this is just wow! I’ll update after I’ve used it more but so far I’m so impressed!”
Best For Slugging
SkinCeuticals Hydra Balm
Pros
- Calms irritated skin
Cons
- Not for oily skin types
SkinCeuticals’ Hydra Balm works wonders for post-procedure skin or for individuals with an AHA/BHA-heavy routine. This balm features aloe, which relieves stressed, irritated skin; the petroleum-based balm serves as a barrier to lock in the moisture and benefits from your other skin care products (see: slugging).
Key ingredient: Aloe
Size: 1.7 fl oz
Dermstore star rating: 4.7/5 stars
A Dermstore reviewer said: “I have gotten multiple microneedling/Morpheus 8 treatments and I use this balm after to soothe my skin. I also use it at night under my eyes to keep the skin moisturized. I love it!”
Best For Eczema
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream
Flaky, itchy skin can ruin anyone’s day. Thankfully, First Aid Beauty’s bestselling cream is the perfect antidote. Massaging this cream into your skin will help to eliminate dryness all over your body (works wonders for feet!) and maintains a hydrated (not greasy!) look throughout the day.
Key ingredients:
Size:
Ulta star rating: 4.6/5 stars
An Ulta reviewer said: “I have been using this for a week and it is wonderful. It feels light and provides wonderful moisture for my face. I can’t wait to see what other results it provides.”
What causes skin barrier damage?
A lot of factors can wear down your skin’s barrier. But what is the skin barrier? “Your skin is made up of several different layers and the outermost layer is your moisture layer, also called your skin barrier. Its job is to keep the bad stuff out and the good stuff in so your skin remains healthy and happy,” she explains.
Think of your skin as a brick-and-mortar wall. “Structurally, the bricks are the skin cells and the mortar is made up of proteins, lipids, and oils that keep the wall strong and intact. When you over-exfoliate and cut into that wall or you over-cleanse or over-strip the skin of its natural oils, you start to damage and break down this very important structure,” she adds. Damage occurs when you scrub your skin too hard or even wax excessively. Shirazi adds that using too many actives can be damaging. “Using a glycolic acid exfoliating cleanser, then a BHA toner can cause over-exfoliation and dehydration of skin cells. Stress, hormones, and disruption of your skin’s microclimate also play a role in damaging your skin barrier,” she says.
What ingredients help strengthen the skin barrier?
Products that contain hydrating ingredients are always best. Look for “hydrating ingredients that replenish the water content and ingredients with anti-inflammatory products,” she says. Shirazi also recommends pausing any active skincare products “to allow the skin to reset and renew itself.” Your skincare ingredients shopping list should include “hyaluronic acid, glycerin, ceramides, beta-glucan, ceramides, lipids, oat complexes, pantheon, cholesterol, squalene, and niacinamide,” she says.
Is slugging good for the barrier?
Slugging works in the same way as a barrier cream, as it serves as a protectant to soothe and replenish hydration in the skin. Dr. Shirazi is a fan of the skincare practice. “Using an occlusive balm overnight like Vaseline can prevent trans-epidermal water loss to hydrate the skin and protect the skin’s surface to allow self-repair,” she says. Before you start slugging, make sure to remove all traces of makeup “because slugging can trap anything that’s on the skin’s surface, sometimes making it worse. Avoid strong actives like retinol or exfoliants and simply slug on top of clean moisturized skin.”
Meet the expert
Dr. Azadeh Shirazi is a California-based board-certified dermatologist and founder of La Jolla Dermatology & Laser Surgery Center who specializes in cosmetic dermatology.
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